I'm going to try out Skike skating soon and am wondering about the fitness benefits. I can't find anything specific to cross-country skating but would I be right in thinking that it's a similar work out to cross-country skiing?

As well as that, does anyone have any experience of skiking on wet ground? Not necessarily through huge puddles but just when the ground is damp and there are wet leaves and other tree debris on the ground. I'm in Ireland where it rains a lot and we have trees everywhere, so often even when it's dry skating along most of the paths I use are treacherously slippy in my skate wheels. I'm hoping skike would open up a few more opportunities for skating.

Watched a nordic skater video, the wheels are 8" pneumatic, roll forward and are locked from reverse, 2" of ground clearance, looks like a device that you lean your shin against, stability at speed, looks like a fun project.
Poles and a helmet and backbone proctection good luck.

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Thanks. I discovered a guy 15 minutes away from me who does sessions and has all the equipment for hire, so there is no way I won't at least give it a try. But the more I think about it, the more I like the idea. There are lots of lovely long trails near me that aren't good enough for skating on but can be skiked. So it opens up a lot more options and articles on it, say it's fine for using on damp ground.

Please post back with your findings. There are a lot of trails around here that range from impractical to impossible for inlines, yet too boring for mountain bikes and I think Skikes might be the vehicle with the highest fun factor on such trails. Plus I'm an avid XC skier who sometimes competes and Skikes sound like they could be the best thing for off-season training.